hotdog

verb hot·dog \ ˈhät-ˌdȯg \

Editor's Note: Why hotdog is More Than a Food

Definition of hotdog

hotdogged; hotdogging; hotdogs

: to perform in a conspicuous or often ostentatious manner; especially : to perform fancy stunts and maneuvers (as while surfing or skiing)

—

hotdogger

play \ˈhät-ˌdȯ-gər\ noun

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Examples of hotdog in a Sentence

His opponents have accused him of hotdogging after he scores a touchdown.
a skier who couldn't resist the urge to hotdog on the slopes whenever he wanted to impress a girl

Why hotdog is More Than a Food

The verb hotdog first appeared in the 1960s as slang for surfing with fast turns and quick movements. Surfers adopted it from the use of the noun hot dog for someone who is very good at something, which was popularized around the turn of the 19th century along with the interjection hot dog to express approval or gratification. In time, the noun became mainly associated with people who showed off their skills in sports, from basketball to skiing, and the verb form came to be used for the spectacular acts of these show-offs. (As a side tidbit to chew on, the word for the frankfurter that might be eaten while watching athletes perform is believed to have been first used by college students. That hot dog was current at Yale in 1895.)

Origin and Etymology of hotdog

²hot dog

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First Known Use: 1963

in the meaning defined above

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hotdog Synonyms

Synonyms

act up, clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, monkey (around), show off, showboat, skylark;

Related Words

carry on, misbehave;

roughhouse;

caper, cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp;

carouse, revel, roar, wassail;

hot dog

noun \ ˈhät-ˌdȯg \

Definition of hot dog

1 : frankfurter; especially : a frankfurter with a typically mild flavor that is heated and usually served in a long split roll

[perhaps from ²hot dog]

: one that hotdogs; also : show-off

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Examples of hot dog in a Sentence

The other players on the team don't like him because he's such a hot dog.

First Known Use of hot dog

1884

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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hot dog

interjection \ ˈhät-ˈdȯg \

Definition of hot dog

—used to express approval or gratification

Examples of hot dog in a Sentence

“Hot dog!” the child cried, “We're going to the circus!”

First Known Use of hot dog

circa 1906

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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hot dog Synonyms

HOTDOG Defined for English Language Learners

hotdog

verb

Definition of hotdog for English Language Learners

: to perform or play in a way that is meant to attract attention

hot dog

noun

Definition of hot dog for English Language Learners

: a small cooked sausage that is mild in flavor and is usually served in a long roll (called a hot dog bun)
: a person (such as an athlete) who performs or plays in a way that is meant to attract attention : a person who hotdogs
—used to express approval or pleasure